Humidifier with water tank quick assembly feature

ABSTRACT

A steam humidifier having a water tank with a quick assembly feature. The steam humidifier includes a removable tank, where the removable tank is configured to contain water to be heated to generate steam and a handle that is configured to selectively secure the removable tank to the humidifier. The handle defines at least a first rotational position in which a tank support feature on the tank is engaged with a handle support feature on the handle such that the tank is attached to the humidifier. The handle further defines at least a second rotational position in which the tank support feature is disengaged from the handle support feature such that the tank is unattached from the humidifier. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to steam humidifiers, and more particularly, toconstructions for a tank of a steam humidifier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The interior spaces of buildings are often at a lower than desired levelof humidity. This situation occurs commonly in arid climates and duringthe heating season in cold climates. There are also instances in whichspecial requirements exist for the humidity of interior spaces, such asin an art gallery or where other delicate items are stored, where it isdesired that the interior humidity levels be increased above naturallyoccurring levels. Therefore, humidifier systems are often installed inbuildings to increase the humidity of an interior space.

Humidification systems may take the form of free-standing units locatedwithin individual rooms of a building. More preferably, humidificationsystems are used with building heating, ventilation, and airconditioning (HVAC) systems to increase the humidity of air within ductsthat is being supplied to interior building spaces. In this way,humidity can be added to the air stream at a centralized location, asopposed to having multiple devices that increase humidity at multiplepoints within the building interior. Additionally, because the airwithin ducts may be warmer than the interior space air during a heatingcycle, the additional air temperature can help prevent water vapor fromcondensing in the vicinity of the humidifier, such as on the inside ofthe duct.

An issue associated with humidification system is that they should onlydischarge water vapor into a duct and not liquid water. Liquid waterwithin a duct can create a number of serious problems. For example,liquid water that remains stagnant within a duct can promote the growthof mold or organisms that can release harmful substances into the airflow, potentially causing unhealthy conditions in the building. Liquidwater can also cause rusting of a duct which can lead to duct failure,and can create leaks from the duct to the building interior spaces whichare unsightly, can cause a slipping hazard, and can lead to water damageto the structure.

One known humidification method involves direct steam injection into anair duct of a building. This approach is most commonly used incommercial buildings where a steam boiler is present to provide a readysupply of pressurized steam. Steam humidification has the advantage ofhaving a relatively low risk of liquid moisture entering a duct or otherbuilding space. However, pressurized steam injection systems areassociated with a risk of explosion of the steam pressure vessels, aswell as a risk of possibly burning nearby people, both of which are veryserious safety concerns. In residential applications, there are usuallyno readily available sources of pressurized steam. An open bathhumidifier system may be used, however these are difficult to installbecause they require a large hole in the duct and can only be used withhorizontal or upflow ducts. Alternatively, a residential application mayuse direct steam injection that requires a separate unit to generatepressurized steam and this separate unit is costly. Moreover, the systemwould suffer from the same disadvantages as are present in commercialdirect steam injection systems.

One type of humidifier that is commonly used in residential applicationsthat has the advantages of steam humidification without the need for aseparate source of pressurized steam is a tank heater type humidifierthat generates steam with little or no pressure. In this type ofhumidifier, heat is generated within a tank of water, causing the waterto boil and steam to be generated. The heat input may be any of a numberof different sources, however, commonly an electrical heating element isused. One problem associated with this type of humidifier is that aswater is boiled off as steam, the impurities in the water remain in thetank. These impurities generally include minerals that are naturallyoccurring in most sources of water. Over time, the concentration ofthese impurities will tend to increase in the tank, leading to greateramounts of impurities that solidify and deposit on the surfaces insidethe tank. These deposits can accumulate to the point of creatingnumerous problems. For example, deposits on a heating coil reduce theheat transfer rate to the water, resulting in lower steam production andpossibly causing overheating and failure of the coil. Deposits in thetank can clog passages where water or steam flows in or out, resultingin the failure of the humidifier. It is therefore necessary for a userof a humidifier to occasionally remove the tank of the humidifier andmanually clean the tank and associated components to remove the depositsand accumulations.

Improved constructions for humidification systems are desired. Inparticular, improved constructions for water tanks of steam humidifiersare needed, and specifically, constructions that permit the tank to bereadily removed for cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a water tank quick assembly featurefor a steam humidifier. In one aspect of the invention, a steamhumidifier is disclosed. The steam humidifier includes a removable tank,where the removable tank is configured to contain water to be heated togenerate steam and a handle that is configured to selectively secure theremovable tank to the humidifier. The handle defines at least a firstrotational position in which a tank support feature on the tank isengaged with a handle support feature on the handle such that the tankis attached to the humidifier. The handle further defines at least asecond rotational position in which the tank support feature isdisengaged from the handle support feature such that the tank isunattached from the humidifier.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a steam humidifier having amain structure that is configured to be attached to a building structureand a tank for containing water and a heating element for heating thewater in the tank to generate steam. The tank includes an upperstructure that is secured to the main structure, a lower structure thatis configured to mate with the upper structure to form an enclosedvolume of the tank, a pair of tank pivot points located on the upperstructure, and a pair of tank arc structures on the lower structure,where each tank arc structure is proximate to each pivot point. Thesteam humidifier further includes a handle having a pair of handle pivotpoints that are configured to engage the tank pivot points and that havea pair of handle arc structures configured to be engageable with thetank arc structures. The handle has at least a first rotational positionin which the handle arc structures are engaged with the tank arcstructures such that the tank lower structure is supported by the mainstructure, and a second rotational position in which the handle arcstructures are disengaged from the tank arc structures such that thetank lower structure is free from the main structure.

An additional aspect of the invention relates to a method of removing atank from a steam humidifier. The method includes rotating a handle froma first position to a second position, where in the first position asupport feature on the tank is engaged with a support feature on thehandle such that the tank is attached to the steam humidifier, and inthe second position the support feature on the tank is disengaged fromthe support feature on the handle such that the tank is unattached fromthe humidifier. The method further includes separating the tank from thehumidifier.

The invention may be more completely understood by considering thedetailed description of various embodiments of the invention thatfollows in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tank heater type steam humidifier.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a HVAC system having ahumidifier.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a control system of ahumidifier.

FIG. 4 is a front side perspective view of a humidifier having a watertank with a quick connection feature constructed according to theprinciples of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the humidifier of FIG. 4 with thehandle removed to show details of the construction of a tank supportfeature of the quick connection feature.

FIG. 6 is a close-up side perspective view showing details of the tanksupport feature of the quick connection feature.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a humidifier having a handle and ahandle locking feature.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the humidifier of FIG. 7 with the handle removedto show details of the handle locking feature.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle of the humidifier of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is a close-up perspective view showing details of one tanksupport feature of the handle.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an open top container.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a humidifier having a coverremoved to show a steam tube and steam dome.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of an open top container removedfrom a humidifier with the handle in an unlocked position.

While the invention may be modified in many ways, specifics have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail.It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit theinvention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfollowing within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by theclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described above, minerals, sediments, and other impurities present inwater tend to deposit in the tank of a tank heater type humidifier overthe course of its operation. These deposits can build up and causedamage and interfere with the proper functioning of the humidifier. Therate at which these deposits form depend on a number of variables,including the mineral content of the water (hardness) and the amount oftime that the humidifier is operated. It is generally recommended orrequired that the user of a humidifier disassemble and manually cleanthe tank and associated parts at a regular interval, such as every year.In some cases, a humidifier may provide an indication to the user thatthe tank needs to be cleaned. If the tank is not cleaned, deposits canaccumulate to the point of clogging the drain, either reducing theefficiency of the drain or preventing the tank from draining alltogether. It is therefore desirable that the user of a humidifier removethe tank at regular intervals and manually clean it to remove thedeposits and accumulations.

An embodiment of a tank heater type humidifier is depicted schematicallyin FIG. 1. Humidifier 20 includes a tank 22 configured to retain avolume of liquid water. Tank 22 is generally constructed out of materialthat is sufficiently resistant to high temperatures, such as thetemperature of boiling water. Examples of suitable materials for tank 22are temperature resistant plastics, an example of which is athermoplastic resin such as a polyphenylene ether/polystyrene blend, andstainless steel. In one embodiment, components of tank 22 are formed byinjection molding. A heating coil 24 is also provided to heat waterwithin tank 22. Heating coil 24 is generally an electric heating coilthat generates heat when an electric current is passed through aresistive material. However, other types of heating coils 24 are usable.For example, heating coil 24 could pass a heated material such as aheated liquid through a tube that allows heat to transfer to the liquidin the tank 22. Furthermore, a heater may be substituted for heatingcoil 24, where a heater is of a conventional liquid heating design, suchas a propane or natural gas liquid heater or a fuel oil burner.

Tank 22 is shown in FIG. 1 as having an isolated chamber 26 that isseparated from a main chamber 30 of tank 22 by baffle 28. Isolatedchamber 26 is in fluid communication with main chamber 30 by way ofopening 32 which allows liquid from main chamber 30 to flow intoisolated chamber 26 and to reach the same fluid level as in main chamber30. Isolated chamber 26 tends, however, to be insulated from ripples,bubbles, and other fluctuations of the water level in main chamber 30,and therefore is a suitable location for measuring the water level intank 22. FIG. 1 also shows that a high level water sensor 34 and a lowlevel water sensor 36 are present within isolated chamber 26. Low levelsensor 36 detects the presence of water at a first level and high levelsensor 34 detects the presence of water at a second level, where thefirst level is lower than the second level. Each of sensors 34, 36 isconfigured to detect the presence of water at the particular sensor.Sensors 34, 36 may be a current-detection type of sensor, where a sourceof current such as alternating current is applied at a point in the tankthat is below both sensors 34, 36 and where sensors 34, 36 areconfigured to detect the presence of current which indicates a currentpath from the source of current, through the water, to sensors 34, 36.Humidifier 20 further includes a tube 38 that projects from main tankchamber 30 to the interior of an air duct 40 and that provides a fluidconnection for the flow of steam from main tank chamber 30 to theinterior of air duct 40.

Humidifier 20 includes a fill valve 42 and a drain valve 44. Fill valve42 is in fluid communication through conduit 54 with a water supply 46,such as a municipal water supply system or a well pump system. Drainvalve 44 is in fluid communication through a conduit 56 with a waterreceiving system 48, such as a municipal water treatment system, aseptic system, or a drain field. Humidifier 20 further includes acontroller 52 that is in communication with water level sensors 34, 36and has the ability to control the fill and drain valves 42, 44.Controller 52 also includes one or more timers configured to measureelapsed times.

A typical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) installationthat includes a humidifier is depicted in FIG. 2. Conditioned space 200of a building is configured to receive conditioned air from supply duct202 and to provide for return air flow through return duct 204.Conditioned space 200 includes at least one thermostat 206 that is incommunication with conditioning device 208. Conditioning device 208 maybe a furnace, a boiler, an air conditioner, a heat exchanger, or acombination thereof, that is configured to condition return air fromreturn duct 204 and deliver the conditioned air to supply duct 202.Conditioning air may involve increasing the temperature of the air,decreasing the temperature of the air, cleaning the air, or other suchprocesses. Conditioning device 208 generally includes a fan or blowerfor drawing air from return duct 204 and delivering air through supplyduct 202. Thermostat 206 senses the temperature in conditioned space 200and activates conditioning device 208 when the temperature deviates froma set value. When conditioning device 208 is activated by a call forconditioning from thermostat 206, conditioned air is supplied throughsupply duct 202 to adjust the temperature of conditioned space 200 untilthe temperature sensed by thermostat 206 satisfies a set value. In someembodiments, thermostat 206 may be configured to receive an input to runa fan or blower without temperature conditioning of the air. In thiscase only the fan or blower portion of conditioning device 208 isactivated and air is supplied through supply duct 202 without beingconditioned by conditioning device 208.

FIG. 2 also shows a typical installation of humidifier 20. Humidifier 20is installed on supply duct 202 downstream of conditioning device 208. Ahumidistat 210 is installed in conditioned space 200 or within returnduct 204 and is in communication with humidifier 20. One embodiment of ahumidistat 210 senses the relative humidity level (RH) present inconditioned space 200 and activates humidifier 20 when the humiditylevel falls below a set value. Other embodiments of humidistat 210 senseindoor dewpoint or even outdoor dewpoint in combination with eitherindoor RH or indoor dewpoint. In some embodiments, the thermostat 206will incorporate the functionality of humidistat 210. When humidifier 20is activated, humidity is added to conditioned air within supply duct202 in order to increase the humidity in conditioned space 200. In someembodiments, humidifier 20 and/or humidistat 210 are configured toactivate humidifier 20 only when conditioning device 208 is activated.This ensures that air is flowing through supply duct 202 to carry theadditional humidity to conditioned space 200. If humidifier 20 isactivated without air flowing in supply duct 202, the additionalhumidity provided by the humidifier may condense on the walls of theduct and cause damage, and the additional humidity will also not beeffectively delivered to conditioned space 200. In other embodiments,the conditioning device 208 will be activated any time there is a demandfor humidification from humidistat 210.

In operation of humidifier 20, as can be understood from FIG. 1, whenthere is a call for humidification, humidifier 20 is filled by openingfill valve 42 to allow water from supply 46 to flow through conduit 54into main chamber 30 of tank 22 and to isolated chamber 26. Fill valve42 will remain open until water is detected at high water sensor 34, atwhich point fill valve 42 is closed. In some embodiments, an overfullsensor is provided to detect water above the high water sensor 34, inwhich case the fill valve 42 would also be closed if water is detected.This feature is useful in the event of a failure of the high levelsensor 34. Heating coil 24 is then energized, causing the temperature ofthe water in tank 22 to increase. In some embodiments, water tank 22 isfilled prior to there being a demand for humidification, such as atinstallation or system start-up, and the system then waits for a callfor humidification to energize the heating coil 24. As the water in tank22 is heated, the water in tank 22 will begin to boil and steam willform at the top 50 of tank 22. In some embodiments, a very slightpressure will be established in the top area 50 of tank 22, drivingsteam through tube 38 and into duct 40. Tube 38 is configured to allowsufficient steam to flow into duct 40 that very little pressure willbuild in tank 22. In other embodiments, no pressure builds in tank 22and steam is carried by convection into duct 40. The steam enters theair in duct 40 where it is carried to conditioned spaces within abuilding. As water is converted to steam, the water level in tank 22will decrease. With sufficient operation, the water level will dropbelow the height of low water level sensor 36. When water falls belowthe height of low level sensor 36, fill valve 42 will be opened andremain open until water reaches high level sensor 34, at which pointfill valve 42 will again be closed.

An embodiment of the components of a control system of humidifier 20 isdepicted in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, controller 52 is incommunication with high level sensor 34 and low level sensor 36.Controller 52 therefore receives signals representative of whether thewater level in tank 22 is at or above low level sensor 36 and whetherthe water level in the tank 22 is at or above high level sensor 34.Controller 52 is further in communication with fill valve 42 and drainvalve 44, and is able to control the operation of each. Controller 52 isalso shown in FIG. 3 as being in communication with indicator 58.Indicator 58 may be used to communicate information to a user, such asthe need to clean the tank. Controller 52 also has an input device 60,such as a switch or button or touch screen configured to receive inputfrom a user, such as to indicate that the humidifier has been cleaned.

FIG. 4 is a front and side perspective view of a humidifier having atank with a quick connection feature that allows the tank to be removedfor cleaning in an expedient manner and without requiring the use ofspecial tools or training. This arrangement is particularly advantageousbecause the typical humidifier user who has to remove the tank forcleaning is a homeowner or other person who does not have specialtraining, may not want to spend much time learning how to perform acomplicated procedure to remove a tank, and may not have ready access totools for removing the tank. The tank quick connection feature isrelatively easy to use because the user can, with one hand, support thetank, and with the other hand, rotate the handle to cause the tank to bereleased from the humidifier.

The humidifier 20 depicted in FIG. 4 includes a main structure 150 thatis configured to be mounted to a duct or other attachment point within abuilding. Main structure 150 may consist of a single piece or may beformed from several pieces that are attached or secured or structurallyconnected to each other. In one embodiment, main structure 150 is formedby injection molding. In another embodiment, main structure 150 isformed by several injection molded components that are configured tointeract to provide a support structure. As shown in FIG. 12, mainstructure 150 also includes a structure for receiving steam tube 38,such as a steam dome 152, such that steam tube 38 is in fluidcommunication with tank 22. Tank 22 is partially defined by mainstructure 150 that forms an upper boundary of tank 22, and the remainderof tank 22 is defined by open top container 156. Open top container 156is assembled to main structure 150 to form a watertight and steamtightenclosed volume that constitutes tank 22. For example, a seal such as ano-ring seal may be provided between open top container 156 and mainstructure 150 to form a watertight and steam tight enclosed volume. Atop perspective view of open top container 156 is shown in FIG. 11. Insome embodiments, open top container 156 is formed by injection molding.

The quick connection feature of tank 22 allows the tank to be readilyremoved and serviced. The connection of the open top container 156 tothe main structure 150 is controlled by the position of handle 158. Whenhandle 158 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, open top container 156 isheld securely against main structure 150. In this case, handle 158 issaid to be in the closed or locked position. A perspective view of theinterface between open top container 156 and main structure 150 is shownin FIG. 5, where the handle is not shown. A seal is placed between opentop container 156 and main structure 150 and is compressed by the forceapplied by handle 158 to create the watertight and steamtight enclosurethat constitutes tank 22. FIG. 13 shows a view of handle 158 in the openor unlocked position. In this position, open top container 156 can beremoved from main structure 150, such as for cleaning.

A portion of main structure 150 is formed by upper cover 162. Uppercover 162 serves to hide from view and protect various functionalcomponents that are mounted to main structure 150. For example, theremay be valves, relays, electronic controls, and wiring that are hiddenand protected by upper cover 162. FIG. 12 shows humidifier 20 with uppercover 162 and handle 158 removed. As seen in FIG. 7, a locking button164 is incorporated into or attached to upper cover 162. Locking button164, also called a locking tab 164, serves to secure handle 158 in theclosed or locked position. Because handle 158 controls whether open topcontainer 156 is secured to main structure 150, and because duringnormal operation open top container 156 contains boiling water, it isdesirable to have a feature such as locking button 164 to prevent handle158 from inadvertently being unlocked and releasing open top container156.

Locking button 164 is also shown in FIG. 8, with handle 158 removed forclarity. In the depicted embodiment, locking button 164 includes acantilevered section 168 that is attached at an end 170 to upper cover162 and that is separated from upper cover 162 along sides 172, 174,176. Proximal to side 176 is a serrated protrusion 178. Cantileveredsection 168 is constructed from a material and with a thickness that itis capable of flexing, such as when a force is applied to serratedprotrusion 178 by a person's finger. When handle 158 is in the lockedposition, as shown in FIG. 7, locking protrusion 182 on handle 158engages notch 180 on button 164. In this position, handle 158 cannot berotated forward to unlock open top container 156 because it is securedin place by notch 180. However, when it is desired to release open topcontainer 156, the user presses downward on serrated protrusion 178 tocause cantilevered section 168 to flex and be forced downward, causingnotch 180 to be moved below protrusion 182 allowing movement of handle158. Handle 158 can then be rotated forward to release open topcontainer 156.

As discussed above, the position of handle 158 controls the connectionof the open top container 156 to the main structure 150. Handle 158generally rotates about an axis of rotation that is defined by a pair ofpivot points on each side of the humidifier. FIGS. 5 and 6 depict anembodiment of pivot points 300 for handle 158. Only one side is shown inFIGS. 5 and 6; the other side is generally a mirror image of thedepicted features. Pivot points 300 are located on, or are structurallylinked to, main structure 150. As seen in FIG. 9, handle 158 hascorresponding pivot points 302 that are configured to engage pivotpoints 300. A variety of configurations are usable for pivot points 300,302. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, in one embodiment pivot points 300 arecylindrical openings and pivot points 302 are cylindrical protrusions.In another embodiment, pivot points 300 are protrusions and pivot points302 are openings. There is generally one pivot point 300 and one pivotpoint 302 associated with one side of the humidifier and another pivotpoint 300 and pivot point 302 associated with the other side of thehumidifier. Together, these features define an axis of rotation of thehandle 158 about the main structure 150.

Handle 158 controls the connection of the open top container 156 to themain structure 150 by way of support features that are present at leaston the open top container 156 and handle 158. An example embodiment ofthe support features on open top container 156 is shown in FIG. 5 and anexample embodiment of the support features on handle 158 is shown inFIG. 9. Only one side is shown in FIGS. 5 and 9; the other side isgenerally a mirror image of the depicted features. As seen in FIG. 5,the support feature on the open top container 156 is an arc-shapedprotrusion 320. Arc-shaped protrusion 320 is generally defined by aradius R₁ having a center near, but generally not the same as, the axisof rotation of the handle as defined by the pivot point 300. Radius R₁defines a first surface 322 of protrusion 320. A radius R₂ also has acenter near but generally not at the axis of rotation of the handle asdefined by the pivot points 300. Radius R₂ defines a second surface 324of protrusion 320. By virtue of the radii R₁ and R₂ not having the samecenter as the axis of rotation of the handle, then as the handle isrotated a cam action will occur tending to cause protrusion 320 to bedrawn upward toward pivot point 300. The radii R₁, R₂ need not beexactly constant along the length of the arc-shaped protrusion 320, butinstead may be slightly variable. Arc shape protrusion 320 is alsodefined by an arc length L₁ that is the length from one end of the arcshaped protrusion to the other. The arc shaped protrusion 320 has afirst end 326 and a second end 328.

An embodiment of the corresponding support features on handle 158 isshown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The support features on the handle 158 arearc-shaped grooves 340. On each side of the handle, an arc-shaped groove340 is defined by a radius R₃ having a center near but generally not atthe axis of rotation of the handle as defined by the pivot point 302.Radius R₃ defines a first surface 342 of groove 340. In addition, aradius R₄ exists having its beginning at a center near but generally notat the axis of rotation of the handle as defined by the pivot point 302and ending at a second surface 344 of groove 340. By virtue of the radiiR₃ and R₄ not having the same center as the axis of rotation of thehandle, then as the handle is rotated a cam action will occur tending tocause protrusion 320 to be drawn upward toward pivot point 300. Theradii R₃, R₄ need not be exactly constant along the length of thearc-shaped protrusion 320, but rather may vary, and are generallysimilar to, or compatible with, radii R₁, R₂ of arc-shaped protrusions320. Arc shape grooves 340 are defined by an arc length L₂ that is thelength from the open end 346 of the arc shaped groove to the closed end348. The length L₂ is generally configured to at least allow the arcshaped protrusions 320 to enter into the arc shaped grooves 340 and toallow the handle 158 to be rotated through its complete desired range ofmotion.

In some embodiments, an arc shaped protrusion 320 includes an alignmentfeature intended to promote the alignment of open top container 156 toupper structure 150. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, arc shaped protrusion320 includes an alignment tab 330 that is a crescent- ortriangular-shaped protrusion extending from second end 328. Mainstructure 150 includes a corresponding alignment tab receiver 332.Alignment tab receiver 332 is configured to receive alignment tab 330,and in one embodiment has a generally crescent- or triangular-shapedconfiguration. In use, when the user raises the open top container 156toward the upper structure 150, alignment tab 330 will enter intoalignment tab receiver 332. Because the smaller, pointed end ofalignment tab 330 first enters the relatively wider opening of alignmenttab receiver 332, initial alignment of the pieces is relatively easy forthe user to accomplish. As the open top container 156 is raised furtherand becomes closer to upper structure 150, the converging walls of thealignment tab receiver 332 will force alignment tab 330 into the properorientation, and thereby cause the open top container 156 to becorrectly aligned to main structure 150.

In use, the handle 158 is manipulated by a user when the user intends toremove the open top container 156 for a reason such as to clean it. Insome embodiments, the user may first perform various operations, such asproviding an input to a button or a switch to indicate to the humidifierthat the open top container 156 is about to be removed. This step may beuseful for reasons such as allowing the humidifier controls tode-energize the heating element and to drain the water out of the tank.In some embodiments, the user may detach the water connections from theopen top container 156, such as the water supply and water drainconnections. When the open top container 156 is ready to be removed, theuser first presses locking button 164 while simultaneously rotatinghandle 158 forward, toward the front of the humidifier. This action canbe performed with one hand of the user because of the proximity of thelocking button 164 to the handle 158. Simultaneously, the user supportsthe open top container 156 with his or her other hand.

As the locking button 164 is pressed down, it clears the handle 158 andallows the handle to be rotated forward. The handle rotates around pivotpoints 300, 302, and in doing so, causes the arc shaped grooves 340 torotate relative to the open top container 156 and the arc-shapedprojections 324 thereon. This relative rotation causes the arc-shapedprojections 324 to become disengaged from the arc shaped grooves 340upon sufficient rotation of handle 158. When arc-shaped projections 324are disengaged from arc shaped grooves 340, the mechanical support ofopen top container from main structure 150, through pivot points 300,302, to handle 158, and to arc-shaped grooves 340 and arc-shapedprojections 324 is broken. The open top container 156 can now be removedfrom main structure 150. The open top container 156 is shown removedfrom main structure 150 in FIG. 13.

When it is desired to reinstall open top container to main structure150, the user positions handle 158 in a forward position, such as theposition where it was left when the open top container 156 wasdisengaged, and then raises open top container 156 toward main structure150. The user generally aligns alignment tab 330 with alignment tabreceiver 332, such that the projection of alignment tab 330 enters intoalignment tab receiver 332 and brings open top container 156 intoalignment with main structure 150. The user holds open top container 156against main structure 150 with one hand, while with the other handrotating handle 158 toward the rear of the humidifier. In doing so, thearc-shaped grooves 340 on handle 158 are rotated into engagement withthe arc shaped projections 324 on open top container 156. Handle 158 isrotated until the cam action of the arc-shaped projections 324 and thearc-shaped grooves 340 causes the open top container 156 to be drawntightly against main structure 150, at which point locking button 164locks it in place, thereby securing open top container 156 to mainstructure 150 by way of arc shaped projections 324 and arc shapedgrooves 340, pivot points 300, 302, and handle 158.

Various components of the present invention are advantageously formed byinjection molding. For example, open top container 156, handle 158, andmain structure 150 may be formed by injection molding. Injection moldingallows the various features, including support features, such asarc-shaped protrusion of open top container 156, or arc-shaped grooves340 of handle 158, or pivot points 300 of main structure 150, to beformed integrally and in a single step with the formation of the basecomponent.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the particularexamples described above, but rather should be understood to cover allaspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims.Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerousstructures to which the present invention may be applicable will bereadily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the presentinvention is directed upon review of the present specification. Theclaims are intended to cover such modifications and devices.

The above specification provides a complete description of the structureand use of the invention. Since many of the embodiments of the inventioncan be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention,the invention resides in the claims.

1. A steam humidifier comprising: (i) a removable tank, the removabletank configured to contain water to be heated to generate steam, theremovable tank is an open top container that is configured to mate withan upper structure to form a watertight enclosure; and (ii) a handleconfigured to selectively secure the removable tank to the humidifier,the handle having at least: (a) a first rotational position in which atank support feature on the tank is engaged with a handle supportfeature on the handle such that the tank is attached to the humidifier,and (b) a second rotational position in which the tank support featureis disengaged from the handle support feature such that the tank isunattached from the humidifier.
 2. The steam humidifier of claim 1,where the upper structure is secured to a building structure.
 3. Thesteam humidifier of claim 2, where the handle rotates on a pair of pivotpoints.
 4. The steam humidifier of claim 3, where the pivot points aresupported by the upper structure.
 5. The steam humidifier of claim 1,where the tank support feature includes an arc-shaped protrusion and thehandle support feature includes an arc-shaped groove.
 6. The steamhumidifier of claim 5, where the upper structure includes an alignmenttab configured to align the open top container to the upper structure.7. The steam humidifier of claim 6, where a portion of the arc-shapedprotrusion of the tank extends into the alignment tab.
 8. The steamhumidifier of claim 1, further comprising a handle locking tabconfigured to secure the handle in the first rotational position to theupper structure.
 9. The steam humidifier of claim 8, where the lockingtab is pressed down to allow the handle to be moved to the secondrotational position.
 10. The steam humidifier of claim 5, where thearc-shaped protrusion and the arc-shaped groove are configured to createa cam action to secure the tank to the humidifier.
 11. A steamhumidifier comprising: (i) a main structure configured to be attached toa building structure; (ii) a tank for containing water and a heatingelement for heating the water in the tank to generate steam, the tankcomprising: (a) an upper structure secured to the main structure; (b) alower structure configured to mate with the upper structure to form anenclosed volume of the tank; (c) a pair of tank pivot points located onthe upper structure; and a pair of tank arc structures on the lowerstructure, each tank arc structure proximate each pivot point; and (iii)a handle having a pair of handle pivot points configured to engage thetank pivot points and having a pair of handle arc structures configuredto be engageable with the tank arc structures, the handle having atleast: (a) a first rotational position in which the handle arcstructures are engaged with the tank arc structures such that the tanklower structure is supported by the main structure; and (b) a secondrotational position in which the handle arc structures are disengagedfrom the tank arc structures such that the tank lower structure is freefrom the main structure.
 12. The steam humidifier of claim 11, where thetank arc structures project from the tank lower structure.
 13. The steamhumidifier of claim 12, where the handle arc structures are groovesconfigured to receive the tank arc structures.
 14. The steam humidifierof claim 11, further comprising a handle locking tab configured tosecure the handle in the first rotational position.
 15. The steamhumidifier of claim 14, where the locking tab is pressed down to allowthe handle to be moved to the second rotational position.
 16. The steamhumidifier of claim 14, where the handle locking tab secures the handleto the upper structure when the handle is in the first rotationalposition.
 17. The steam humidifier of claim 11, where the tank arcstructures are formed integrally with the lower structure of the tank.18. A method of removing an open top tank from a steam humidifier, thesteam humidifier structured so that the open top tank and an upperstructure mate to form a watertight enclosure, the method comprising:(i) rotating a handle from a first position to a second position, where(a) in the first position, a support feature on the tank is engaged witha support feature on the handle such that the tank is attached to theupper structure of the steam humidifier; and (b) in the second position,the support feature on the tank is disengaged from the support featureon the handle such that the tank is unattached from the upper structureof the steam humidifier; and (ii) downwardly separating the tank fromthe humidifier with the handle in the second position.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising pressing a locking tab prior to rotatingthe handle.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step ofreinstalling the tank to the steam humidifier, the step of reinstallingthe tank including aligning an alignment tab on the tank with analignment feature on the steam humidifier and then rotating the handlefrom the second position to the first position.
 21. The method of claim19, where pressing the locking tab and rotating the handle can beaccomplished with one hand of a person.